Dry stack boat storage, which is the vertical storage of boats on land in rack systems,
has proven to be the key method of addressing the ever-increasing demand for water access.
Having three decades of evolutionary lessons learned in dry storage operations will be
invaluable to the success of paugus Bay Marina.
While more and more boats are sold, environmental pressures about marine development are
mounting. This makes the construction of additional wet slips extremely time consuming and
very expensive, which causes a lengthy turn-around on one's investments.
Dry stack offers the best answer to this situation for several reasons. First, it provides
water access to considerably more boats than may be possible with wet slips, because boats
can be stored four levels high. Second, the construction cost of dry storage is far more
economical than that of wet slips. Third, the dry stack can accommodate smaller boats that
occupy valuable space in existing wet slips, thereby promoting the storage of large boats
in water. Fourth, dry stack boat storage is environmentally friendly, as it reduces boat
sewage, leakage of fuels or oils, and the need for toxic bottom paints. Fifth, dry stack
systems properly constructed, marketed, and managed offer the marina owners a very
positive revenue stream and return on their investment. Finally, it provides the boat
owner three things that they value convenience, security, and preservation of their prized
possession.
The concept of dry boat storage is a valet-type of service. In most applications, the boat
owners contact the marina in advance of their arrival. This allows the marina to either
launch the boats and stage them in temporary wet slips, or to be prepared to launch the
boats upon the customer’s arrival. In either case, the customers are able to be on
the water within a few minutes of parking their cars.
The process of returning the boat is just as simple and pain-free to the boaters. They are
able to avoid the long, stressful queues that have become synonymous with launching ramps.
As the boating population becomes more sophisticated, marinas compete for the consumers
time devoted to their jobs, to their family obligations, and to other recreational or
leisure activities. Therefore, the importance of the convenience that dry stack offers
cannot be overstated.
Security at marinas is a global issue. No one would argue that boats represent a
significant investment on the part of their owners. Furthermore, no one can deny that
boats are inviting targets for theft and vandalism. Dry stack systems, particularly fully
enclosed ones, provide excellent protection for the boats. In fact, in many cases the boat
owners feel sufficient confidence in the security of the dry stack to routinely leave gear
(fishing gear, coolers, ski equipment, etc.) on their boats.
Two of the most harmful elements that boats are exposed to are the ultraviolet rays of the
sun and the very water in which they are designed to be used. Storing a boat in a covered
dry stack dramatically improves its resale value by eliminating the prolonged exposure to
the destructive ultraviolet rays. As well, it significantly reduces the bottom fouling
effects of prolonged storage in the water.
There are a growing number of boaters, who want the performance, attractiveness, and value
of their boats maintained. This is of significant importance to the marina, and these
boaters are willing to pay for this value.
Dry stack storage is not limited to small boats. In fact, with advances in handling
equipment, the average size boat in dry stack has increased from 16'- 18'to 26'- 30'. As
well, the beam widths of dry stack boats has increased. In order to accommodate the
increasing size of rackable boats in the future, we have adequately designed our dry stack
system, forklift aisles, and building to allow long-range growth.
The increasingly up-scale boating market place and the proximity of our project to scenic
waterfront has resulted in improvements to the appearance of paugus Bay Marina. The
community's Planning Board has balanced the demand for water access and the positive
financial benefits of paugus Bay Marina against concerns about maintaining the visual
integrity of the waterfront.
Ancillary services, including first-rate ship store and maintenance shop, will be
integrated in paugus Bay Marina. We will market as a place for the entire family to enjoy,
with barbecues, picnic areas and other amenities offered. paugus Bay Marina, along with
the Lakeport community, will try to become a mini-vacation destination for its prospective
clientele.
Paugus Bay Marina
41 Sheridan Street
Laconia, NH 03246
http://www.paugusbaymarina.com
Last updated:
02/10/06
